Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will become the first capped Indian international to play in Major League Cricket after signing with San Francisco Unicorns for the 2026 season, the franchise said on Saturday.
Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in 2024 and ended his Indian Premier League career last year, represented India in 287 matches across formats and took 765 wickets.
The 39-year-old is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in test cricket behind Anil Kumble.
“Taking on the mantle as the first Indian-capped player to compete in Major League Cricket is a major responsibility that I fully embrace,” Ashwin said in a statement.
“My absolute focus is to help this franchise win games and push for its first championship, while also putting on a spectacular brand of cricket for the Bay Area fans.”
Ashwin had been set to feature in Australia’s Big Bash League with Sydney Thunder but missed out due to a knee injury.
Major League Cricket will begin its fourth season on June 18.
